Would you think that donor conceived children of lesbian parents do better than typical families?

Would you think that donor conceived children of lesbian parents do better than typical families? Read this article...

In an interesting contrast to the study put out by the Institute for American Values, a study published in a recent issue of Pediatrics found that children of lesbian couples, conceived with donor sperm, do better than typical families.
According to the article on CNN, the 25-year study followed 78 couples who conceived using donor sperm. The mothers were interviewed during pregnancy or the donor-insemination process, and when the children were ages 2, 5, 10 and 17. The children were also interviewed four times as they matured.
When the children were 17, they took an online questionnaire, which looked at their psychological, social, and academic adjustment.
Researchers used the Child Behavior Checklist, which is a standard method of determining behavioral and social health in children. The children of the lesbian couples did better than average on the test, when compared to typical families. They scored higher in psychological well being, and had fewer behavioral problems.
As for why they did better (as opposed to doing just as well), it's not clear. It could be because these were well planned pregnancies, very much wanted, and the moms were older (and therefore more mature) than the average family.
As with any study, there is always the potential for bias, and this study was on the small side with 78 families. However, there are some key differences between this study and the study from the Institute for American Values (which was also on sperm donor-conceived children):

• This study appeared in a peer reviewed, professional journal.
• While funding for this study did come from a gay/lesbian advocacy group, according to the researchers, they had no part in the design or carrying out of the study.
• Standard tools of assessment were used in evaluating the children, as opposed to questionnaires developed solely for the study's purpose.

This is certainly a topic that needs more research. But it does show that donor-conceived children are not necessarily at greater risk for psychological distress, as the study from the Institute for American Values would have you believe.

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